How odd to think the octopus
has not a bone inside her.
The smallest space in any place
is just enough to hide her.
A corner in a sunken ship,
a coffee can,
a shell.
She tucks her boneless body in
and every arm as well.
A very tricky thing to do
if you have one
or maybe two.
But what an awkward sort of state,
the octopus has eight!

About the Author

Photo by Kim Ode

Eric Ode is a children’s author, an award-winning songwriter, and a widely anthologized poet. Ode provides high-energy workshops and assemblies for schools throughout the United States and internationally. He lives in Washington state with his wife and two children.